{{Stategov}}{{TOCnestright}}The '''Attorney General of [[Illinois]]''' is the highest legal officer of the state of [[Illinois]]. Originally an appointed office, it is now an office filled by election through universal suffrage. Based in [[Sunshinereview:Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]] and [[Sunshinereview:Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]], he or she is responsible for providing legal counsel for the various state agencies including the [[Governor of Illinois]] and [[Illinois State Legislature|Illinois General Assembly]]. He or she also conducts all legal affairs pertaining to the state.

|Other offices =[[Governor of Illinois|Governor]] • [[Lieutenant Governor of Illinois|Lieutenant Governor]] • [[Illinois Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] • [[Attorney General of Illinois|Attorney General]] • [[Illinois Treasurer|Treasurer]] • [[Illinois Auditor|Auditor]] • [[Illinois Comptroller|Comptroller]] • [[Illinois Superintendent of Education|Superintendent of Education]] • [[Illinois Director of Agriculture|Agriculture Director]] • [[Illinois Director of Insurance|Insurance Director]] • [[Illinois Director of Natural Resources|Natural Resources Director]] • [[Illinois Director of Labor|Labor Director]] • [[Illinois Commerce Commission|Illinois Commerce Commission]]}}{{TOCnestright}}The '''Attorney General of [[Illinois]]''' is the highest legal officer of the state of [[Illinois]]. Originally an appointed office, it is now an office filled by election through universal suffrage. Based in [[Sunshinereview:Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]] and [[Sunshinereview:Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]], he or she is responsible for providing legal counsel for the various state agencies including the [[Governor of Illinois]] and [[Illinois State Legislature|Illinois General Assembly]]. He or she also conducts all legal affairs pertaining to the state.

The position of Illinois attorney general was established on December 3, 1818 based on guidelines adopted by a state constitutional convention. The first person to fulfill the duties of the office was Daniel Pope Cook who only served eleven days. He was later elected to the Congress; [[Sunshinereview:Cook County, Illinois|Cook County]] was named in his honor.

The position of Illinois attorney general was established on December 3, 1818 based on guidelines adopted by a state constitutional convention. The first person to fulfill the duties of the office was Daniel Pope Cook who only served eleven days. He was later elected to the Congress; [[Sunshinereview:Cook County, Illinois|Cook County]] was named in his honor.

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The current attorney general of Illinois is [[Lisa Madigan]].

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==Current officeholder==

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The current attorney general of Illinois is [[Lisa Madigan]].<ref name="bio"/> Prior to becoming an attorney, Madigan worked as a teacher and community organizer, developing after-school programs to help prevent young children from becoming involved in drugs and gangs. She also volunteered as a high school teacher in South Africa for a brief time during apartheid. Returning to the United States and receiving her law degree, Madigan served as a litigator for the Chicago-based law firm of Sachnoff & Weaver.

| '''Officers:''' The Executive Branch shall include a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller and Treasurer elected by the electors of the State. They shall keep the public records and maintain a residence at the seat of government during their terms of office.

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==Qualifications==

==Qualifications==

Here is a list of the standard qualifications necessary under [[Illinois]] State Law in order to be considered for the Office of State Attorney General:

Here is a list of the standard qualifications necessary under [[Illinois]] State Law in order to be considered for the Office of State Attorney General:

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*To be eligible to hold the office of [[Illinois Governor|Governor]], [[Illinois Lieutenant Governor|Lieutenant Governor]], Attorney General, [[Illinois Secretary of State|Secretary of State]], Comptroller or Treasurer, a person must be:

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*To be eligible to hold the office of [[Governor of Illinois|Governor]], [[Lieutenant Governor of Illinois|Lieutenant Governor]], Attorney General, [[Illinois Secretary of State|Secretary of State]], Comptroller or Treasurer, a person must be:

:*a United States citizen, at least 25 years old

:*a United States citizen, at least 25 years old

:*a resident of this [[Illinois|State]] for the three years preceding his election <small>'''([[Article V, Illinois Constitution|Illinois Constitution, Article V § 3]])'''</small>

:*a resident of this [[Illinois|State]] for the three years preceding his election <small>'''([[Article V, Illinois Constitution|Illinois Constitution, Article V § 3]])'''</small>

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==Elections==

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According to [[Article_V,_Illinois_Constitution#Section_2|Article V, Section 2]] of the [[Illinois Constitution|state constitution]], the attorney general shall hold office for four years beginning on the second Monday of January after their election and until their successors are qualified. They shall be elected at the general election in 1978 and every four years thereafter.

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==Vacancies==

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[[Article_V,_Illinois_Constitution#Section_7|Article V, Section 7]] of the [[Illinois Constitution]] addresses vacancies in the office of attorney general. If the Attorney General...fails to qualify or if his office becomes vacant, the Governor shall fill the office by appointment. The appointee shall hold office until the elected officer qualifies or until a successor is elected and qualified as may be provided by law and shall not be subject to removal by the Governor.

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==Duties==

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The job of the attorney general is to:<ref>[http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/about/index.html ''Illinois Attorney General'' "About" Accessed July 28, 2012]</ref>

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*'''Advocate''' on behalf of all of the people of Illinois;

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*'''Legislate''' with members of the General Assembly for new laws; and

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*'''Litigate''' to ensure state laws are followed and respected.

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As per the [[Illinois Constitution]], the "attorney general shall be the legal officer of the State, and shall have the duties and powers that may be prescribed by law."<small>'''([[Article V, Illinois Constitution|Illinois Constitution, Article V § 15]])'''</small>

The Attorney General of [[Illinois]] is responsible for prosecuting campaign finance complaints on a case by case basis. Campaign finance reports can be referred to the Attorney General at any time regardless if it involves criminal or civil law from the [[Illinois State Board of Elections]]. <ref name="complaint 2">[http://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/CampaignDisclosure/PDF/rules.pdf ''Illinois State Board of Elections'' "Illinois Campaign Financing Act"](Referenced Statute 5/9-23)</ref>

The Attorney General of [[Illinois]] is responsible for prosecuting campaign finance complaints on a case by case basis. Campaign finance reports can be referred to the Attorney General at any time regardless if it involves criminal or civil law from the [[Illinois State Board of Elections]]. <ref name="complaint 2">[http://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/CampaignDisclosure/PDF/rules.pdf ''Illinois State Board of Elections'' "Illinois Campaign Financing Act"](Referenced Statute 5/9-23)</ref>

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==Electoral history==

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==State budget==

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===2002===

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The budget for the Office of the Attorney General in Fiscal Year 2012 was $78,223,700<ref>[http://www.state.il.us/budget/FY2013/FY13OperatingBudget.pdf ''Operating Budget Book,'' “Illinois State Budget Fiscal Year 2013,” 5.31, accessed June 20, 2013.]</ref>

In 2012, the attorney general was paid an estimated [[Compensation of state executive officers|$156,541]]. This figure comes from the [[Council of State Governments]].

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===2010===

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In 2010, the Attorney General of Illinois was paid an estimated $156,600 according to the [[Council of State Governments]].<ref>[http://knowledgecenter.csg.org/drupal/system/files/Table_4.11.pdf ''The Council of State Governments'',"The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," retrieved September 5, 2012]</ref>

The Attorney General of Illinois is the highest legal officer of the state of Illinois. Originally an appointed office, it is now an office filled by election through universal suffrage. Based in Chicago and Springfield, he or she is responsible for providing legal counsel for the various state agencies including the Governor of Illinois and Illinois General Assembly. He or she also conducts all legal affairs pertaining to the state.

The position of Illinois attorney general was established on December 3, 1818 based on guidelines adopted by a state constitutional convention. The first person to fulfill the duties of the office was Daniel Pope Cook who only served eleven days. He was later elected to the Congress; Cook County was named in his honor.

Current officeholder

The current attorney general of Illinois is Lisa Madigan.[1] Prior to becoming an attorney, Madigan worked as a teacher and community organizer, developing after-school programs to help prevent young children from becoming involved in drugs and gangs. She also volunteered as a high school teacher in South Africa for a brief time during apartheid. Returning to the United States and receiving her law degree, Madigan served as a litigator for the Chicago-based law firm of Sachnoff & Weaver.

Authority

Officers: The Executive Branch shall include a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller and Treasurer elected by the electors of the State. They shall keep the public records and maintain a residence at the seat of government during their terms of office.

Qualifications

Here is a list of the standard qualifications necessary under Illinois State Law in order to be considered for the Office of State Attorney General:

Elections

According to Article V, Section 2 of the state constitution, the attorney general shall hold office for four years beginning on the second Monday of January after their election and until their successors are qualified. They shall be elected at the general election in 1978 and every four years thereafter.

Vacancies

Article V, Section 7 of the Illinois Constitution addresses vacancies in the office of attorney general. If the Attorney General...fails to qualify or if his office becomes vacant, the Governor shall fill the office by appointment. The appointee shall hold office until the elected officer qualifies or until a successor is elected and qualified as may be provided by law and shall not be subject to removal by the Governor.

Campaign finance

The Attorney General of Illinois is responsible for prosecuting campaign finance complaints on a case by case basis. Campaign finance reports can be referred to the Attorney General at any time regardless if it involves criminal or civil law from the Illinois State Board of Elections. [4]

State budget

The budget for the Office of the Attorney General in Fiscal Year 2012 was $78,223,700[5]